Australia and New Zealand

Our trip was probably one of the highlights of 2013...it most definitely was a grand adventure! Here are a few of the top sights:

We began our trip in beautiful New Zealand and stayed at the most glorious B&B around outside of Rotorua (Check it out HERE). Rotorua proved to be one of the most fascinating and stinky (geothermal activity) cities we've ever visited. Here's the view from our B&B bedroom: 

This is me in front of one of the stinky, smoking pools where the geothermal activity really gets going:

And our trip to New Zealand was definitely complete with a stop to Hobbiton. Here we are outside our very own little Hobbit hole:

 Here's a view of the whole place: 

From Auckland, New Zealand we headed on out to Sydney, Australia. It was beautiful but also a little cold since it was still winter for the southern hemisphere. But seriously, we could not get enough pictures of the Opera House or the Harbor Bridge....beautiful landmarks.

 We found our way to a Rugby match (I still don't get it):

Did some "glamping" (that would be glamour camping aka a tent with heat, air, a bed, and a toilet):

I got to pet a lazy kangaroo or two!:

We did some serious hiking:

Tasted the wine:

Visited the beach (but you couldn't have paid us to get in there--it was COLD!):

And not to be forgotten, I GOT TO PET A KOALA BEAR! 

It truly was the trip of a lifetime and one we will never forget. If you get the chance, you should definitely visit! If we had to pick a place to return to some day we have decided that New Zealand is totally worth the long flight--it is so beautiful, serene, peaceful, and yet filled with all sorts of fun and adventurous things to do (like THIS). Here's to the next adventure!